Likewise, Mehra, working with regular cinematographer Binod Pradhan and editor P.S. Much of the pic’s midsection focuses on Singh’s gradual evolution into a fierce competitor - familiar stuff made vivid by Malhotra’s fiery performance as Singh’s army track coach, and by Akhtar himself, who trained for more than a year to develop the lean, muscled physique and concentrated gaze of a sprinter in his prime. Still, the seed has been planted, and Singh has resolved that he, too, shall someday call such a blazer his own. Even then, Singh is still something of a village bumpkin surrounded by more sophisticated city types, and Akhtar is especially good at playing this wide-eyed naif, who, in one spectacularly misjudged move, “borrows” the embroidered national team blazer of a visiting track star, who in turn gives Singh a brutal lashing. (The title, which translates as “Run Milkha Run,” are the final words spoken to the 12-year-old by his father, well played by veteran Anglo-Pakistani thesp Art Malik in his Bollywood debut.) Circumscribing all of this is a larger framing story in which Singh’s two longtime coaches (Pavan Malhotra and Yograj Singh) travel across India by train to convince the dejected Singh, brought low by his failure in Rome, to represent India in the Commonwealth Games.Īlong the way, “Bhaag Milkha Bhaag” devotes extended episodes to Singh’s post-Partition life in a Delhi refugee camp, where he is reunited with his devoted elder sister, Isri (the superb Divya Dutta), and to his years as an army cadet, where he first discovers his gift for speed. Truly Inspiring.Pic’s fragmented structure continues to move back and forth in time, as events in Singh’s present trigger memories of the past, particularly the young Milkha (played by Jabtej Singh) witnessing his parents’ slaughter during violent Partition rioting. It shows us the life of Milkha Singh through his very own eyes and deserves a standing ovation for its performances, writing and direction. But Overall, Bhaag Milkha Bhaag is an award-winning film. Also, people who can't sit in cinemas for a VERY long time may get annoyed at the fact that its a 3h10m film. A person who enjoys watching the so-called 'masala' flicks, may not enjoy this film due to its different type of story compared to other films. The film does depend on each person's likes and tastes.
Sonam Kapoor didn't have much to do in the screenplay, but she did it quite well. Other than Farhan Akthar delivering an award-winning performance, every other actor did a great job. The replay value of this film is very high. Inspite of the film being 3h10m, you never feel bored instead, you find yourself stuck in the world of Milkhaji- poverty, love and speed. The film starts off a BIT slow, but you manage to keep with its pace. His portrayal of Milkha Singh was outstanding. When the first look of Bhaag Milkha Bhaag came, we were shocked how similar Farhan Akthar looked like Milkha Singh, and his acting has showed us that not only is he a GREAT actor, but he can mostly do any role by now. Everyone who is associated with this film has done a GREAT job. The film revolves around the life story of Milkha Singh.
BHAAG MILKHA BHAAG is a biopic directed by Rakyesh Omprakash Mehra, starring Farhan Akthar and Sonam Kapoor.